THE EDITOR, Sir:
IT IS said that the youth of any nation are to be considered its greatest strength and best resource, but judging from the under-involvement and in most cases exclusion of Jamaican youth from key sectors in our society responsible for shaping and developing the country, I am convinced otherwise.
Our nation has failed to motivate its young sufficiently to aspire to greater levels of achievement and success and so it should come as no surprise that significant numbers of them are
leaving the educational system with little or no qualifications and skills; concerned only for present wants and not for future needs; and are easily caught in the web of criminality and violence.
Our nation has unknowingly earmarked its youth to the category of 'be only seen, but not be heard' while its older generation seemingly play out their own fantasies with the new prospects of the future.
Jamaica's youth now constitute the lion's share of our political electorate, social influence and economic base and so should be afforded every medium to utilise these influences to foster the country's development.
If Jamaica is a company, then the youths are to be considered its CEOs! Lest we forget that today belongs to the nation, but tomorrow belong to its youth.
I am, etc.,
RICARDO WILKS
Youth Advocate
ricardowilks@hotmail.com
